When Matt Sander and his fiancee Ashley were planning their wedding, they needed to find some place to care for their two rescue dogs. Like most pet parents, they only wanted the best and that’s when they first encountered Central Bark. Fast forward a few years later and Matt and Ashley Sander are Central Bark franchisees and the rest, they say, is history.
Matt recently spoke with Franchise Business Review, a data driven insights company that empowers potential franchise buyers with franchise ratings, downloadable reports, and industry insights, about their journey into franchise ownership.
Did you have your sights set on a specific industry or brand?
Yes. My wife and I are passionate about animals and volunteer work at dog rescues and shelters. That shaped our path to ownership in the Pet Industry. That, combined with our business experience in the Financial Service sector and Automotive industry, gave us the confidence to pursue business ownership.
We were first introduced to Central Bark during our wedding weekend while seeking care for our two beloved rescue pitties, Zeus and Tank. Naturally, when we started our search to open a business, we reflected on our exceptional experience with Central Bark.
When researching franchises to buy, what criteria or data points mattered to you most?
While seeking a franchise to purchase, it was critically important for me that the consumer (dog) was held in the highest regard and that standards were in place across the system. I reviewed training opportunities offered within the Franchise, including at launch and throughout the life of franchise ownership. This franchise’s commitment to education, training, and development was vital.
What are you most proud of as a Central Bark franchise owner, and why?
Outside of my family, I am most proud of the growth my business has experienced over the past seven years. In 2021 we made a significant investment to transform a vacant property. The original building structure had been vacant since 2014 and required ingenuity and heavy lifting to retrofit the space. Both site functionality and aesthetics were considered early in the design phase to prompt visual enhancement to the area while also permitting our small business the opportunity to expand and enhance our service offerings. Through local support, we could transform the space into the whole dog care facility of our dreams! This also allowed us to receive the Community Improvement Award.
How Central Bark Franchisee Matt Sander Turned His Passion for Dogs Into a Thriving Business
To read the rest of the Franchise Business Review story, please click HERE. For more information on Central Bark franchising opportunities, visit centralbarkfranchising.com.